Pyrophoric lighting mechanism



Feb. 8, 1938. 1.. v. ARONSON PYROPHORIC LIGHTING MECHANISM Filed NOV. 14, 1936 2 sheets-sh et 1 INVENTOR Lows VAronson MM 0- X441 ATTORNEYS Feb. 8, 1938. v, ARQNSON 2,107,658

PYROPI' IORIC LIGHTING MECHANISM Filed Nov. 14, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Lam's I/Aronson ATTO N EYS I Patented Feb. 8, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Metal Works, Jersey Inc., a. corporation of New Application November 14, 1936, Serial No. 110,787 11 Claims. (Cl.67---7.1)

My invention relates to pyrophoric lighting mechanism utilizable for the ignition of cigars, cigarettes and for other purposes as desired.

My invention has further reference to various improved features as regards the operating mechanism, arrangement of parts and structural characteristics of an improved pyrophoric lighting'mechanism of the character described.

Various other objects, advantages and characteristics of my invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.

*Myf invention resides in the pyrophoric lighting mechanism, features and combinations of the character hereinafter described and claimed.

Foran understanding of my invention and for an illustration of some of the various forms thereof, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my novel pyrophoric lighting mechanism;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view, [partly in elevation, of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1;

Fig; 4 is a transverse, horizontal sectional view, with parts omitted, taken on the line 4-4 of Fig.2 looking in the direction of the arrows;-

Figiti is an enlarged, perspective view showing separated parts of my novel mechanism;

Fig; dis a plan View of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. -7' is a vertical, sectional view, partly in elevation,'-corresponding generally with Fig. '2 but showing'some of the parts in different positions;

Fig. 8 is a transverse, horizontal, sectional view taken'on the line 8-8 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 9 "is a transverse, vertical sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 7 looking in the direction of the arrows;

:Figfl'O is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, of a modified feature of the invention;

and,

Figpll is a perspective view of the arrangeme'nt-shown in Fig. 10 with the parts separated from each other.

Referring to the drawings, C represents a casingfwh'ich, in the example shown, is of rectangular configuration adapted, in the manner hereinarterdescribed, for the detachable reception of a f fu'elhcajsing F and an operating assembly A. As hereirr' illustrated, the casing C per se is open at" the-bottom and top thereof although these openings are adapted to be closed as hereinafter described. As clearly shown in Fig. 2, the fuel casing F and the operating assembly A are received in snug, side-by-side relation interiorly of the casing C.

The operating assembly A comprises a bottom 6 plate I having an upstanding frame 2 fixed thereto, said frame terminating in a pair of spaced upper sections 3, 3a, Figs. 8 and 9, which support a fixed, transverse, tubular member 4. Mounted for free rotatable movement on the 10 transverse member 4 are the side-by-side wheels 5 and 6 secured together for movement as a unit, the wheel 5 being serrated or roughened on its peripheral face and the wheel 6 being a ratchet wheel. Disposed flushly against the in- 1 terior surfaces of the respective sections 3, 3a are the pinions I, la which are freely rotatable on the transverse member 4.

As shown on the drawings, there is provided a snuffer-carrying member 8 which, at one end, 20 terminates in the spaced sections 9, 9a, the section 9 being disposed between the pinion I and the serrated wheel 5 while the section 9a is disposed between the pinion 1a and the ratchet wheel 6. These sections 9, 9a of the member 8 are freely r rotatable on the transverse member 4 and said sections 9, 9a are secured in suitable manner to the pinions I, la respectively. Suitably secured, as by the screw ill, to the free end of the member 8 is a snuffer cap I I which, in the manner 30 hereinafter described, is coactable with the upper end of a conventional wick tube. As shown in Fig. 2, the screw I 0 secures to the member 8 a pawl l2 which is formed from spring steel, the free end of said pawl coacting with the ratchet wheel 6.

As illustrated in Figs. 2, 4 and 7, the aforesaid frame 2 terminates in a pair of lower ear sections which support a fixed transverse, tubular member l3 upon which an actuating lever i4 is pivoted. This lever l4 extends substantially in a vertical direction and, at its upper end, comprises a pair of spaced rack sections I5, I54: disposed in meshing relation with respect to the respective pinion I, la. The lever I4 is suitably biased in a clockwise direction, Fig. 7, as by a spring I6 which is disposed around the transverse member I3, the opposite respective ends of said spring l8 engaging said lever l4 and the frame 2. As clearly illustrated on the drawings, the aforesaid .casing C, at one side thereof, is cut away as shown at H so that the thumb or finger of the operator, when engaging the knob Ha or other surface of said actuating lever It, may readily be moved to swing said lever 14 in a counter-clockwise direction to the position shown in Fig. 7. As shown in Fig. 3,'the width of the lever M is somewhat less than the distance between the front andrear walls of the casing C and, accordingly, said lever i=3 may readily be moved from its normal upright position as shown in Fig. 2 to the inclined position thereof shown in Fig. 7 and vice versa. The section 3 of the frame 2 comprises a lateral section 3b, Fig. 9, adapted to be engaged by the snuffer-carrying member 8 whereby, in the manner hereinafter described, excessive movement of the lever l4, under the influence of the spring I6, is prevented.

As stated above, the operating assembly A comprises a serrated wheel 5. Coactable with this wheel 5 is a pyrophoric element 18 which, in part, projects from a tube 19 anchored in said operating assembly A, said element l8 being biased into engagement with the serrated wheel 5 by a helical spring 20 which is maintainedunder compression by a cap'2l threaded into the lower end of said tube l9, Fig. 2.

The above noted fuel casing F is a sheet metal container having a wick tube 22 upstanding from the top wall thereof. The upper end of a wick 23 projects from this wick tube and said wick is received interiorly of the fuel casing which also contains a mass of cotton 24 or other suitable absorbent material. In the example shown, fuel is introduced to the interior of said fuel casing by passage thereof through a bottom plate opening normally closed by a closure cap 25.

In accordance with the invention, the casing C, at the top thereof, has a rectangular frame 26 secured thereto preferably in detachable manner. As an example of a preferred detachable arrangement, each end section of said frame 26 is shown as comprising an ear 2612 having a passage extending therethrough for the reception of a screw 21 which is threaded into the adjacent casing end wall. As indicated in Fig. 5, each end wall of the casing C is provided with a pair of spaced notches 28, 28 which loosely receive the respective pin supports 29, 29. At each end of the casing C, one of said pin supports 29 is soldered or otherwise suitably secured to a door plate 30. Accordingly, it follows that each door plate 30 is supported at its respective opposite ends by the wall surface defining a notch 28. Therefore, when the two door plates 30 are thus positioned, the frame 26 may be disposed in its intended position on the casing C and the screws 21 associated therewith and with said casing C to thereby fix the frame 26 in said intended position. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the door plates 30 are horizontally disposed in the same plane. They are thus supported due to the provision of the pin supports 29 and further by reason of the fact that they rest upon the upper surface of the screw l0 which, as described, is utilized for securing the snuffer cap H to the member 8, this, as hereinafter described, being the normal position of said screw l0.

As shown in Figs. 2, 3 and '7, each of the door plates 30, at adjacent ends thereof, carries a bracket arm 3|, these bracket arms supporting a spring member 32 which, preferably, is of U- configuration as shown in Fig. 3.

The hereinbefore described operating assembly A is shown in Fig. 2 in its normal position. Said operating assembly A extends vertically through the casing C with the bottom plate I thereof engaged with the lower surface of said casing C and with the actuating lever ll properly positioned in the cut-out section I! of the casing C. When thus positioned, a screw 33 may be passed through the aforesaid tubular member 6 and another screw 34 may be passed through the aforesaid tubular member 53, these screws 33 and 38, when threaded to the casing C as shown, retaining the eperating assembly A fixed in its operating position as shown on the drawings.

With the operating assembly A positioned in the manner just described, the fuel casing F may be passed upwardly through the casing C until the bottom plate 35 of said fuel casing F comes into engagement with the bottom surface of said casing C. When this has been done, the fuel casing F and the operating assembly A are disposed in side-by-side relation interiorly of the casing C, the dimensions of the various parts being chosen so as to produce the snug relation shown in Fig. 2. Further, the dimensions of the various parts entering into the fuel casing assembly are so selected that the upper surface of the screw I 0, when said fuel casing is in normal position as shown in Fig. 2, receives the adjacent lower surfaces of the respective door plates 33 so as to thereby support them in horizontal position as shown in Fig. 2.

An important feature of the present invention relates to the provision of a unitary operating assembly A which is detachable as a unit from the casing C so as to facilitate construction, repairs, adjustment, etc. In the example shown, it is necessary that ,the fuei casing F be removed from the casing C whereupon, after the screws 33, 34 have been withdrawn, the operating assembly A may be moved sidewise toward the ieft, Fig. 2, and then removed from the casing C through the bottom thereof. This is accordance with present preferred practice aithough, as will be understood, the arrangement may be such that the fuel casing F remains in the casing C while the operating assembly A is detached as a unit from said casing C otherwise than as explained above.

It will be obvious that the fuel casing F may be withdrawn from the casing C whiie leaving the operating assembly A in the position shown. It may be desirable for the fuel casing F to be thus withdrawn from the casing C when fuel is to be supplied thereto, when the height of the wick 23 is to be adjusted, or for such other purposes as may be desirable.

The hereinbefore described lateral section 3b of the frame 2 is provided so that, upon removal of the operating assembly A from the casing C, the member 8 will come into engagement with said lateral sectidn 3b to thereby prevent further movement of the serrated wheel 5 and the lever l4 in-a clockwise direction as the parts are shown in Fig. 2. If this lateral section 3b or its equivalent is not provided, the spring l6 would move he lever l4 sufilciently to cause the above described rotative movement of the serrated wheel 5 and to effect disengagement of the rack sections l5, i5a from the respective pinions 1, la.

The latter, of course, wouid be highly undesirable.

Assuming that the parts are positioned as shown in Fig. 2, the operator grasps the lighting mechanism in one hand and, by thumb or finger pressure on the lever knob Ma, causes the lever 54 to move in a counter-clockwise directicn from the position thereof shown in Fig. 2 to the position shown in Fig. '7. In so doing, the lever 8 is swung in a clockwise direction from the position shown in Fig. 2 to that shown in Fig. '7 whereby, under the control of the pawl H, the side-by-side wheels 5 and 6 are moved in a clockwise direction,

Fig. 2, to thereby produce a shower of sparks by coaction of the serrated wheel 5 with the pyrophoric element l8, such sparks igniting the fuel on the upper wick section which is now exposed above the wick tube 22.

As the member 8 moves in the manner described immediately above, the screw l0 carried thereby causes the door plates 30, 30 to move toward open position, such movement of said door plates continuing under the control of the side sections of the member 8, Fig. 9, until the snuffer cap assembly is in fully elevated position, when the door plates 30, 30 are disposed substan tiaally vertically as shown in Figs; 7 and 9. During such movement of the door plates 30, 30, the ends of the spring 32 are moved toward each other to thereby store energy therein.

As a result of this action, a freely burning flame is produced at the upper wick end. At this time, the door plates 30, 3B are in vertical position or substantially so and, therefore, they function as a windshield to protect the burning flame from draughts of air which might otherwise extinguish said flame. Preferably, the burning action is facilitated by providing a suitable arrangement of slots or passages 36 in the upper part of the casing C to thereby admit air for purposes of combustion.

When the flame produced in the manner described above has served its purpose, the pressure on the lever id is released whereuponthe parts automatically return to their normal, re-. spective positions as shown in Fig. 2. Thus, the lever 56 moves clockwise from the position thereof shown in Fig. '7 to that shown in Fig. 2. At the same time, the member 8 moves counterclockwise to the position shown in Fig. 2, the wheels 25 and (i remaining stationary during such movement of said member 8, this action occurring by reason of the fact that the pawl i2 idles with respect to the ratchet wheel b.

As the snufier cap arrangement thus returns to its normal position, the door plates 30, 3d under the influence of the energy previously stored in the spring 3?. return to their normal respective positions as shown in mg. 1, for example. When in this position, these door plates serve as a closure for the top part of the casing C and thereby prevent the passage of dirt, dust or the like into engagement with those exposed parts of the lighting mechanism which are grouped in the upper part of said casing C.

Referring to Figs. l0 and 11, I have illustrated a modified form of supporting arrangementfor the door plate 35, it. Thus, in lieu of the hereinbefore described pin supports 29, 29, I have illustrated in Figs. 19 and 11 a, member M which may be formed from relatively stiff wire, said member 3! having the opposite ends thereof terminating in the respective lateral sections 37a. Asshown, the upper side wall of the casing C is cut away as indicated at 38 to form a space for the reception of the base section of the member 3! which, as shown in Fig. 10, is maintained fixed in operative position in said space 38 by the clamping action of the frame 26.

With such an arrangement, the lateral sections 31a as disclosed in Figs. 10 and 11 form free pivotal supports for the adjacent ends of the respective door plates 30. It will be understood that the other ends of the door plates 30 of Figs. 10 and 11 may be supported in a manner similar to that just described.

While the invention has been described with respect to certain particular preferred examples from the spirit .and scope of the invention and it is intended therefore in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. An operating assembly adapted to be detached as a unit from the casing of a pyrophoric lighter, said operating assembly comprising an elongated frame, an actuating lever pivoted at one end to said frame and extending along one side thereof, and a shutter-carrying member pivoted to the end of said frame opposite the pivotal connection for said lever, said snufi'er-carrying member in its normal position being positioned substantially at right angles to said frame and in its operated position forming substantially an axial continuation of said frame.

2. An operating assembly adapted to be detached as a unit from the casing of a pyrophoric lighter, said operating assembly comprising an elongated frame, an actuating lever pivoted at one end to said frame and extending along one side thereof, a snuiTer-carrying member pivoted to the end of said frame opposite the pivotal connection for said lever, and a section extending laterally from said frame and adapted to be engaged by said snuffer-carrying member upon movement thereof to a predetermined position.

3. An operating assembly adapted to be detached as a unit from the casing of a pyrophoric lighter, said operating assembly comprising an elongated frame, an actuating lever pivoted at one end to said frame and extending along one side thereof, a snuiier-carrying member pivoted to the end of said frame opposite the pivotal connection for said lever, a member fixed in said frame, side-by-side wheels rotatable on said member and movable together as a unit, a pawl connection between said snuffer-carrying memher and one of said Wheels, and a gear-and-pinion connection between said actuating lever and said shutter-carrying member.

4. Pyrophoric lighting mechanism comprising a casing, a sparking unit in the upper part of said casing, a wick adjacent said sparking unit, means for operating said sparking unit to produce a freely burning flame at said wick, a pair of door members at the upper end of said casing, means whereby said door members are moved into vertical position or substantially so at the time that said sparking unit is operated, said a door members being readily detachable from said casing, and a frame cooperating with said door members to maintain them in operative position on said casing.

5. Pyrophorio lighting mechanism comprising a casing, a sparking unit in the upper part of said casing, a wick adjacent said sparking unit, means for operating said sparking unit to produce a freely burning flame at said wick, a pair of door members at the upper end of said casing, means whereby said door members are moved into vertical position or substantially so at the time that said sparking unit is operated, said door members being readily detachable from said casing, pivot means detachable from said casing for supporting said door members, and a' frame detacliably related to said casing for maintaining said pivot means andsaiol door members in operative position on said casing.

6. Pyrophoric lighting mechanism comprising a casing, a sparking unit in the upper part of said casing, a wick adjacent said sparking unit, means for operating said sparking unit to produce a freely burning flame at said Wick, a pair of door members at the upper end of said casing, means whereby said door members are moved into vertical position or substantially so at the time that said sparking unit is operated, and a U-shaped spring member extending downwardly into said casing, said spring member having its respective ends connected to said door members, the ends of said spring being moved toward each other when said door members are moved toward vertical position.

7. Pyrophoric lighting mechanism comprising a casing, a sparking unit in the upper part of said casing, a wick adjacent said sparking unit,

I means for operating said sparking unit to produce a freely burning flame at said wick, a pair of door members at the upper end of said casing, means whereby said door members are moved into vertical position or substantially so at the time that said sparking unit is operated, said door members being readily detachable from said casing, and a frame cooperating with said door members to maintain them in operative position on said casing, said casing around said wick being provided with perforations for the free admission of air.

8. In pyrophoric lighting means, a casing having an open bottom, a fuel chamber and an operating assembly disposed in said casing in sideby-side relation, said chamber and said assembly being so shaped and of dimensions such as to jointly close said open and such that they may be slldably witdrawn through said open bottom of said casing.

10. In pyrophoric lighting mechanism, a casing having a bottom opening, an assembly comprising spark producing means with operating means therefor, a fuel chamber, said assembly and chamber being disposed in said casing in side-by-side relationship, said chamber and said assembly being so shaped and of dimensions such that they maybe slldably withdrawn independently of each other and downwardly through the bottom of said casing.

11. In lighter mechanism, a casing having a bottom opening, a fuel chamber in said casing, an assembly removable as a unit from said casing through said opening, said assembly comprising spark producing means, an operating member therefor normally extending along a vertical wall of the casing, and a snufler supporting member normally extending in a generally horizontal direction within the top of the casing and extending over said fuel chamber.

LOUIS V. ARONSON. 

